The heart of acceptance and commitment therapy
Learn from one of the ACT world’s most renowned therapists
Many ACT practitioners reach a point where they know the model well but sense something is missing. Sessions can feel technique-driven. The therapy is present, but the therapist isn’t quite. This intermediate-level workshop is designed to address exactly that gap: moving beyond foundational techniques to work at the level of process, function, and genuine therapeutic presence.
Taught by Robyn Walser, one of the world’s most respected ACT therapists and trainers, this workshop offers a rare opportunity to learn from someone who has spent decades working and teaching at the cutting edge of the model.
Background to the workshop
ACT is often described as being done with “head, hands, and heart.” The head covers intellectual understanding. The hands cover behaviour and action. But for many practitioners, the heart of ACT remains the hardest to reach: the capacity to work flexibly, experientially, and with genuine presence in the room.
The problem Robyn identifies is a familiar one. When ACT is reduced to a set of techniques, something essential is lost. Process gives way to procedure. The client is there, but the encounter isn’t alive. This workshop addresses that directly, helping you attend to the multiple levels of process present in every session and bring real intention and fluency to your work.
What you will gain from this workshop
By attending this workshop, you will:
- Develop a more sophisticated understanding of functional analysis as an ongoing, moment-to-moment practice in therapy.
- Learn to identify and work with the multiple levels of process present in every ACT session.
- Deepen your capacity for an experiential, genuinely relational therapeutic approach.
- Build flexibility and fluency in your process-based work with clients.
- Observe Robyn Walser working live, with the opportunity to see these principles in action.
These skills will not just refine your practice. They will change how you understand what is happening in the room.
About this workshop
- Mini-lectures to provide theoretical grounding.
- Live role-plays demonstrating the principles in action.
- Experiential exercises that put you in direct contact with the material.
Who will benefit from this workshop?
This workshop is for therapists and psychologists who have a working knowledge of ACT and want to move beyond foundational skills. It is particularly suited to those who feel their practice has plateaued and are looking for the next level of depth and fluency.
Please note: Attendees are expected to have a basic working knowledge of ACT. For those seeking introductory ACT courses, explore available options here.
Feedback from previous attendees
“It was beautifully authentic, reflective, and captivating.” – Steve Wharmby
“Empowering and inspiring.” – NN
“The parts I found most useful were the role plays with Robyn and seeing her in action, seeing the power of slowing things down, the intrapersonal and tuning in to the thin slices. Excellent training.” – C. Lawrence
“This has probably been the best training I have ever been on.” – Terry McGuilles
APA psychologists: This program is sponsored by Contextual Consulting and is approved for 6 CE credits for psychologists. Contextual Consulting is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. Contextual Consulting maintains responsibility for this program and its content.
Nationally certified counselors: This workshop is available for 6 credit hours. Contextual Consulting Ltd. has been approved by NBCC as an Approved Continuing Education Provider, ACEP No. 7578.
New York psychologists: This program is sponsored by Contextual Consulting and is approved for 6 CE credits for psychologists. Contextual Consulting is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Psychology as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed psychologists #PSY-0316.
To find out more, including attendance requirements and how to access your certificate, go to our continuing education information page.
If you have disability and require adjustments or accommodation, please email us at admin@contextualconsulting.co.uk to discuss your needs and we will do our best to help you.
Booking cancellation
The registration fee will be refunded minus a administration charge if cancellations are received at least two weeks before the workshop date.
Cancellations within two weeks of the event date are charged the full registration fee, other than in exceptional circumstances that can be verified.
Event cancellation
In the event of cancellation of the course outside of our control we will not be held accountable for travel and/or accommodation costs incurred. However, the workshop fees will be refunded.
All workshops will be subject to minimum delegate numbers being met; in the event that a workshop should be cancelled delegates will be given no less than 2 months’ notice.
Replacing delegates
If a delegate is unable to attend and a replacement is nominated there may be a charge depending on the individual circumstances, this will be advised at the time. Please contact the us to request a replacement of delegates at least a week before the workshop date.
Contextual Consulting is committed to the identification and resolution of potential conflicts of interest in the planning, promotion, delivery, and evaluation of continuing education. Potential conflicts of interest occur when an individual assumes a professional role in the planning, promotion, delivery, or evaluation of continuing education where personal, professional, legal, financial, or other interests could reasonably be expected to impair their objectivity, competence, or effectiveness.
There was no commercial support for this event. None of the planners or presenters for this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients.
Walser, R. D. (2019). The heart of ACT: Developing a flexible, process-based, and client-centered practice using Acceptance and Commitment Therapy. New Harbinger Publications.
After this workshop, participants will be able to:
- Conduct nuanced and ongoing functional analyses within therapy to tailor interventions to the client's unique processes and context.
- Identify and skilfully work with multiple levels of process present in acceptance and commitment therapy, enhancing your ability to adapt interventions fluidly.
- Foster a deeply experiential and heartfelt therapeutic relationship that aligns with the principles of ACT and connects with clients’ humanity.
- Apply advanced tools and strategies to enhance your flexibility and process-based approach, creating more meaningful therapeutic outcomes.
- Integrate learning from live demonstrations into your practice, drawing on the expertise and techniques showcased by Robyn Walser.